Short message service ability updating method, device and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed in the present application are a short message service (SMS) ability updating method, device and apparatus. The method includes a mobility management function receives a triggering condition of an SMS function/a user data management function, and/or, the mobility management function determines that SMS over NAS ability update needs to be triggered, the mobility management function updates the SMS over NAS ability of a UE. By using the present application, when a mobility management function receives a triggering condition of an SMS function a user data management function, and/or, the mobility management function determines that SMS over NAS ability update needs to be triggered, the mobility management function updates the SMS over NAS ability of the UE. The SMS over NAS ability update can be triggered by means of a network side, preventing the UE from making an erroneous SMS transmission attempt.

The present application is a US National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/078158, filed Mar. 14, 2019, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201810339633.3, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on Apr. 16, 2018 and entitled “Method, Device and Apparatus for Updating Short Message Service Ability”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and particularly to a method, device and apparatus for updating short message service capability.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-roaming SMS over NAS (Short Message Service over Non Access Stratum; SMS: Short Message Service; NAS: Non Access Stratum) system architecture, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a reference interface version of the non-roaming SMS over NAS system architecture. In the figures, the SMS-GMSC (Gateway MSC for Short Message Service) and the SMS-IWMSC (Interworking MSC for Short Message Service) are MSCs (Mobile Switching Centers) with short message function, and the SMS-GMSC is an MSC with gateway function, serves the MT (Mobile Terminating)-type short messages, and is an entry switcher that receives the short messages sent from the SC (Service Center); and the SMS-IWMSC is an MSC with network interaction function, serves the MO (Mobile Originating)-type short messages, and is an export switcher that can receive the short messages from the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) and send the short messages to the corresponding SC. As shown, the SMS over NAS architecture provides 5G SMS over NAS support, and the SMSF (SMS Function) is a short message function that provides the function of checking the short message capability contract and the function of forwarding short messages. The AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) provides the forwarding of uplink and downlink short messages between a UE (User Equipment) and the SMSF through NAS Transport (NAS transmission) messages, and the selection function of the SMSF is provided by the AMF.

In terms of short message capability management, for the SMS capability, the UE during registration carries the SMS requested IE (SMS requested Information Element; IE: Information Element), of which the values are as shown in Table 1 and which is used to inform the network of the UE's capability to support the SMS. The AMF determines whether the UE subscribes to the SMS service according to the subscription information obtained from the UDM (Unified Data Management), and if so, the AMF selects and activates the SMSF, and the SMSF further registers to the UDM and subscribes to the change in SMS-related subscription information. So far, both the AMF and the SMSF have created the UE context and recorded the SMS-related information, and the UDM has also recorded the address of the SMSF and the access type available for the SMS. The SMSF returns an activation success response to the AMF, and then the AMF records the SMSF address in the UE context and carries the SMS allowed IE (SMS allowed Information Element) in the registration acceptance message. The values of the SMS allowed IE are as shown in Table 1, indicating the support capability of the SMS over NAS after network negotiation.

TABLE 1 Values of SMS requested IE/SMS allowed IE 2 1 0 0 SMS over NAS not allowed 0 1 SMS over NAS allowed via 3GPP access only 1 0 SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a registration procedure of the SMS over NAS. As shown, the registration procedure of the SMS over NAS is as follows.

Step 301: a UE carries the SMS requested IE during registration to inform the network of the UE's capability to support the SMS.

Step 302: if the AMF relocation occurs, the old AMF notifies a new AMF of the SMSF address as a part of the UE context.

Step 303: when the SMS requested is carried in the registration request, the AMF determines whether the UE subscribes to the SMS service according to the subscription information obtained from the UDM, and if so, the AMF selects the SMSF.

Steps 304-305: the registration procedure is completed, and the AMF activates the SMS service of the user through the Nsmsf_SMService_Activate service operation provided by the SMSF, which includes AMF address, Access Type, GPSI (Generic Public Subscription Identifier) (if available) and SUPI (Subscription Permanent Identifier) information.

Step 306: the SMSF discovers the UDM and interacts with it.

Steps 307 a-307 b: the SMSF records or updates the UE context including the user subscription information and the AMF address. The SMSF registers to the UDM through the Nudm_UECM_Registration (UE context management registration service; CM: Context Management), and the SMSF obtains the user's SMS subscription information from the UDM through the Nudm_SDM_Get (user subscription data acquisition service; SDM: Subscriber Data Management) and subscribes to the notification on changes in subscription information.

Step 308: the SMSF returns a response to the AMF, and the AMF records the SMSF address in the UE context.

Step 309: the AMF carries the SMS allowed in the registration accept message, indicating the support of the SMS over NAS after network negotiation.

If the UE triggers, the AMF triggers or the UDM triggers (by subscription) removing the support of the SMS over NAS capability, there is a need for the AMF and the SMSF to trigger deleting the UE context in the SMSF and the SMSF address in the UDM respectively.

In the transmission of short messages, for the SMS MO, the UE in the IDLE state firstly establishes a connection through the SR (Service Request) procedure, and then sends the SMS through the NAS UL Transport message; and the UE in the CONNECTED state sends the SMS directly through the NAS UL Transport message.

For the SMS MT, the SMSF in the IDLE state triggers the AMF to page the UE through the Namf_MT_EnableUEReachability (enable user reachability service) service. After success, the SMSF triggers the AMF to forward the SMS through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer (N1/N2 message forwarding service), and the AMF selects the RAT (Radio Access Technology) (3GPP or non-3GPP) according to the operator's policy when sending the DL NAS Transport message. In the case of UE unreachability, the AMF discards the message directly and does not return a transmission success message, and then the SC (Service Center) will re-initiate the SMS MT after receiving the prompt that the UE is reachable.

The disadvantage in the prior art is: how to update the SMS capability on the network side has not been given. For example, if the SMS deregistration is initiated by the NW (network), the UE is not notified at this time, and the UE may make a wrong SMS MO attempt during this procedure.

SUMMARY

The present application provides a method, device and apparatus for updating short message service capability, to solve the problem that the network side cannot update the SMS capability.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a method for updating short message capability, including:

receiving, by a mobility management function, a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function, and/or, determining, by the mobility management function, that SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered;

updating, by the mobility management function, SMS over NAS capability of a UE.

In an implementation, updating, by the mobility management function, SMS over NAS capability of the UE includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability, includes: carrying an indication of UE re-registration in the configuration update procedure; and carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the method further includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure includes: carrying indication information of updating SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or a mobility management cause (MM cause) is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a short message sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.

In an implementation, the mobility management function determines that the short message capability update needs to be triggered when one or a combination of following conditions occurs:

a change in operator configuration causes a network to trigger a change in the SMS over NAS capability; or subscription data obtained from the user data management function changes; or policy information of the user changes; or a change in relevant information is obtained through the short message function; or the UE performs currently a deregistration procedure of which an access type is non-3GPP.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a method for updating SMS capability, including:

receiving, by a UE, SMS over NAS capability update triggered by a mobility management function, and the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered;

updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function.

In an implementation, updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the requirement of the mobility management function, includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability includes: receiving an indication of UE re-registration carried by the mobility management function in the configuration update procedure; and receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the method further includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure includes: receiving indication information of updating SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a short message sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management function, including:

a transceiver configured to receive and send data under control of a processor;

a processor configured to read programs in a memory to perform: receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function, and/or, determining that SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered; updating SMS over NAS capability of a UE.

In an implementation, updating SMS over NAS capability of a UE includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability includes: carrying an indication of UE re-registration in the configuration update procedure; and carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the procedure further includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure includes: carrying indication information of updating SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a short message sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly to the UE.

In an implementation, the mobility management function determines that the short message capability update needs to be triggered when one or a combination of following conditions occurs:

a change in operator configuration causes a network to trigger a change in the SMS over NAS capability; or subscription data obtained from the user data management function changes; or policy information of the user changes; or a change in relevant information is obtained through the short message function; or the UE performs currently a deregistration procedure of which an access type is non-3GPP.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a UE, including:

a transceiver configured to receive and send data under control of a processor;

a processor configured to read programs in a memory to perform of: receiving short message capability update triggered by a mobility management function, and the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered; updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function.

In an implementation, updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function, includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability through the configuration update procedure includes: receiving an indication of UE re-registration carried by the mobility management function in the configuration update procedure; and receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the method further includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure includes: receiving indication information of updating SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a short message sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.

In one embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for updating short message capability, including:

a judging device configured to receive a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function at a mobility management function, and/or, determine that SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered at the mobility management function;

a mobility management function update device configured to update SMS over NAS capability of a UE at the mobility management function.

In one embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for updating short message capability, including:

a receiving device configured to receive SMS over NAS capability update triggered by a mobility management function at a UE, and the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered;

a UE update device configured to update SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium storing the computer instructions that, when running on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described by any implementation in the embodiments as described above.

In one embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium storing the computer instructions that, when running on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described by any implementation in the embodiments as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrated here are used to provide the further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application, and the schematic embodiments of the present application and the illustration thereof are used to explain the present application but not limit the present application improperly. In the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-roaming SMS over NAS system architecture in the background art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a reference interface version of the non-roaming SMS over NAS system architecture in the background art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the SMS over NAS registration procedure in the background art;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability in the mobile management function according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability in the UE according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to a first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to a second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to a third embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobility management function according to an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor noticed in the inventive process: the 3GPP R15 5GS (5G System) defines the support for SMS over NAS, including the support for SMS over NAS between the UE and AMF through 3GPP/non-3GPP, the selection of the AMF for the SMSF, the inspection of the SMSF for subscription data, and the transmission of the MO/MT SMS. The specific procedure includes the registration and deregistration of the SMS capability to support the SMS capability negotiation, the SMS MO procedure and the SMS MT procedure between the UE and the network. However, the procedure of triggering the SMS capability update on the network side is not described in the current standards. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application propose a solution for updating the SMS capability, so that the SMS capability update may also be triggered and implemented by the network side.

The embodiments of the present application will be illustrated below in combination with the drawings. In the illustration process, the behaviors of other entities (e.g., SMSF, UE, etc.) will be involved, but such illustration does not mean they must implement in cooperation or must implement alone.

In the embodiments, the mobility management function may be the AMF in the 5G architecture, or may include another network element that can implement the same function, where the network element may be a logical entity network element or a physical entity network element.

The short message function may be the SMSF in the 5G architecture, or may include another network element that can implement the same function, where the network element may be a logical entity network element or a physical entity network element.

The user data management function may be the UDM in the 5G architecture, or may include another network element that can implement the same function, where the network element may be a logical entity network element or a physical entity network element.

The configuration update procedure may be the Configuration Update in the 5G architecture, or other procedures that can implement the same function.

The short message capability may also be called the SMS capability or short message support capability. The short message capability in the embodiments of the present application refers to the SMS over NAS capability, that is, the SMS over NAS support capability. The short message sending procedure may also be called the SMS MO procedure.

In order to facilitate understanding and implementation, the embodiments of the specific AMF, SMSF, UDM, and Configuration Update are also given in the embodiments, but this does not mean that the implementation can only be made by them.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability on the mobile management function side. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 401: the mobility management function receives a triggering condition of the SMS function/user data management function, and/or, the mobility management function determines that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered.

Step 402: the mobility management function updates the SMS over NAS capability of a UE.

Correspondingly, the SMS capability update scheme of the UE is further provided in an embodiment of the present application as follows.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability in the UE. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 501: the UE receives the SMS over NAS capability update triggered by a mobility management function, where the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of the short message function/user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered.

Step 502: updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the requirement of the mobility management function. That is, the UE updates the SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the SMS over NAS capability update triggered by the mobility management function.

In one embodiment, in the scheme of triggering the SMS capability update at the network side, when the AMF receives the trigger condition of the short message function/user data management function or the AMF determines by itself that the SMS capability update needs to be triggered, the AMF triggers, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure, or the AMF directly updates the record of the UE through the configuration update procedure, or the AMF performs update of the relevant data of the UE in the corresponding procedure, and the corresponding procedure includes a procedure related to the short message service or short message transmission. That is, in an implementation, the mobility management function updates the SMS over NAS capability of the UE, including one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, the mobility management function determines that the SMS capability update needs to be triggered when one or a combination of following conditions occurs:

a change in operator configuration causes a network to trigger a change in the SMS over NAS capability; or subscription data obtained from the user data management function changes; or policy information of the user changes; or a change in relevant information is obtained through the short message function; or the UE currently performs a deregistration procedure of which an access type is non-3GPP.

Embodiments of the present application, when the mobility management function receives the trigger condition of the short message function or the user data management function, and/or the mobility management function determines that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered, the mobility management function updates the SMS over NAS capability of the UE. The update of the SMS over NAS capability can be triggered by the network side, avoiding the UE from making a wrong attempt to send short messages.

The application will be illustrated below by way of examples.

First Embodiment

In this embodiment, the SMSF is triggered by the AMF to perform the update of the UE context related to the SMS over NAS; the AMF updates the SMS over NAS support capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure, and the updated indication information of the SMS over NAS is carried to indicate the UE to re-register; and after UE returns the configuration update complete, the UE initiates a registration update procedure to re-negotiate the SMS over NAS support capability with the network, and complete the update of the SMS over NAS in this procedure.

In one embodiment, triggering through the configuration update the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability may include:

indicating the UE to re-register in the configuration update procedure;

carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the registration update procedure.

In one embodiment, the method may further include: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

It is assumed that the network triggers the change in SMS over NAS capability due to the change in operator configuration. For example, the AMF judges and decides to change the original SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS allowed via 3GPP access only.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to the first embodiment. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 601: the AMF determines that the original SMS over NAS needs to be updated, for example, changing from the SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS allowed via 3GPP access only.

Part A:

Steps 602-603: AMF triggers the SMSF to perform the update of the UE context related to the SMS over NAS.

Part B:

Step 604: the AMF updates, through the configuration update procedure, the SMS over NAS support capability of the UE, and the updated indication information of the SMS over NAS is carried, the AMF indicates the UE to re-register, and the AMF may further indicate the UE to return a response message after completing the update.

Step 605: the UE returns the configuration update complete to the AMF.

Step 606: the UE initiates a registration update procedure to re-negotiate the SMS over NAS support capability with the network immediately after returning the configuration update complete. The update of the SMS over NAS is completed in this procedure.

The process of parts A and B can be in no particular order, or A first and then B, or B first and then A.

Second Embodiment

In this embodiment, the AMF triggers deleting the information related to the UE SMS over NAS in the SMSF, and the SMSF triggers deleting the SMSF address in the UDM. The AMF, through the configuration update procedure, updates the SMS over NAS support capability of UE, and the updated indication Information of the SMS over NAS is carried; and after receiving the response returned by the UE, the AMF updates the SMS over NAS recorded in the AMF to the updated support condition.

In one embodiment, updating, through the configuration update, the SMS over NAS capability of the UE may include: carrying the indication information of updating the SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

It is assumed that the network triggers the change in SMS over NAS capability due to the change in operator configuration. For example, the AMF judges and decides to change the original SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS not allowed. The AMF may also make a decision directly or indirectly through the change in the subscription data obtained from the UDM, for example, the user cancels the SMS subscription. The AMF is also possible to make a decision according to the policy information of the user, for example, the user cannot send short messages in arrears. The AMF is also possible to make a decision according to the change in the relevant information obtained through the SMSF.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to the second embodiment. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 701: the AMF determines that the original SMS over NAS needs to be updated, for example, changing from the SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS not allowed. The AMF may also make a decision directly or indirectly through the change in the subscription data obtained from the UDM, for example, the user cancels the SMS subscription. The AMF is also possible to make a decision according to the policy information of the user, for example, the user cannot send short messages in arrears. The AMF is also possible to make a decision according to the change in the relevant information obtained through the SMSF.

Part A:

Steps 702-704: the AMF triggers deleting the information related to the UE SMS over NAS (including UE context and AMF address) in the SMSF, and the SMSF triggers deleting the SMSF address in the UDM.

Part B:

Step 705: the AMF, through the configuration update procedure, updates the SMS over NAS support capability of the UE, and the updated indication information of the SMS over NAS is carried, and the AMF may further indicate the UE to return a response message after completing the update.

Step 706: the AMF updates the SMS over NAS recorded in the AMF to the updated support condition after receiving the response returned by the UE.

The processes of parts A and B can be in no particular order, or A first and then B, or B first and then A. If the AMF does not require the UE to return a response when updating the NAS over SMS, the relevant records in the UE context in the AMF can be updated after the configuration update command message is successfully sent, that is, after step 705.

Third Embodiment

In this embodiment, the AMF triggers the SMSF to perform the update of the UE context related to the SMS over NAS. The AMF carries an indication of the updated SMS over NAS in the deregistration accept message sent to the UE, and completes the update of the local UE context.

In one embodiment, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a deregistration procedure; or, carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

It is assumed that the network triggers the change in SMS over NAS capability due to the change in operator configuration. For example, the AMF judges and decides to change the original SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS allowed via 3GPP access only. The AMF may make a decision according to the deregistration procedure of non-3GPP (access type) performed currently by the UE, and then update the SMS over NAS information recorded in the AMF, update the UE context of the SMSF, and carry the indication of the updated SMS over NAS in the deregistration accept message returned to the UE.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to the third embodiment. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 801: the UE triggers the non-3GPP deregistration procedure, so the AMF judges and decides to change the original SMS over NAS from SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to SMS over NAS allowed via 3GPP access only.

Steps 802-803: the AMF triggers the SMSF to perform the update of the UE context related to the SMS over NAS.

Step 804: the AMF carries an indication of the updated SMS over NAS in the deregistration accept message sent to the UE, and performs the update of the local UE context.

Fourth Embodiment

In this embodiment, the AMF carries the indication of the updated SMS over NAS in the SMS MO procedure and performs the update of the local UE context.

In one embodiment, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in an SMS sending procedure.

In an implementation, in the SMS sending procedure, the indication of SMS over NAS is carried in the CP Ack returned by the SMSF; or the indication of SMS over NAS is determined and returned directly by the AMF to the UE.

It is assumed that the network triggers the change in SMS over NAS capability due to the change in operator configuration. For example, the AMF judges and decides to change the original SMS over NAS allowed via both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to the SMS over NAS not allowed. The AMF local, SMSF, and UDM have completed the relevant updates. When the UE initiates the SMS MO procedure, the indication of the updated SMS over NAS is carried in the response message returned to the UE.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating SMS capability according to the fourth embodiment. Since the network side has completed the update of the SMS over NAS capability, the SMS over NAS capability of the UE can be updated in the SMS MO procedure. As shown, the method may include the following steps.

Step 901: for the UE in the CM-IDLE state, the response message to establish the N1 connection in the SR may carry the SMS Allowed IE or carry the MM cause to indicate the changed SMS over NAS capability.

Step 902: for the UE in the CM-IDLE or CM-Connected state, the indication of SMS over NAS may be carried in the response returned after receiving the request to send the SMS MO message, where this indication may be carried in the CP Ack returned by the SMSF or may be determined and returned directly by the AMF to the UE before informing the SMSF to forward, and the parameter carried may be the SMS Allowed IE or MM cause to indicate the changed SMS over NAS capability.

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a mobile management function, a UE, and apparatuses for updating the SMS capability. Since the principle solving the problem of these devices is similar to that of the methods for updating the SMS capability, the implementations of these devices can refer to the implementations of the methods, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

When the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is implemented, it may be implemented in such way as follows.

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile management function. As shown, the base station includes: a transceiver 1010 configured to receive and send the data under the control of a processor 1000; the processor 1000 configured to read the programs in a memory 1020 to perform: receiving a triggering condition of the SMS function/user data management function, and/or, determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered; updating the SMS over NAS capability of a UE.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of a UE, includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability, includes:

carrying an indication of UE re-registration in the configuration update procedure;

carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the procedure further includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure, includes: carrying the indication information of updating the SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure, includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in an SMS sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the SMS sending procedure is carried in the CP Ack returned by the SMS function; or is determined and returned directly to the UE.

In an implementation, the mobility management function determines that the SMS capability update needs to be triggered when one or a combination of following conditions occurs:

a change in operator configuration causes a network to trigger a change in the SMS over NAS capability; or

the subscription data obtained from the user data management function changes; or

the policy information of the user changes; or

a change in relevant information is obtained through the SMS function; or

the UE currently performs the deregistration procedure of which the access type is non-3GPP.

In FIG. 10, the bus architecture may include any numbers of interconnected buses and bridges, and specifically link various circuits of one or more processors represented by the processor 1000 and the memory represented by the memory 1020. The bus architecture may further link various other circuits such as peripheral device, voltage regulator and power management circuit, which are all well known in the art and thus will not be further described again herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1010 can be a plurality of elements, i.e., include a transmitter and a receiver, and provide the units for communicating with various other devices over the transmission media. The processor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1020 may store the data used by the processor 1000 when performing the operations.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE. As shown, the user equipment includes: a transceiver 1110 configured to receive and send the data under the control of a processor 1100; the processor 1100 configured to read the programs in a memory 1120 to perform: receiving the SMS capability update triggered by a mobility management function, and the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of the SMS function/user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered; updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the requirement of the mobility management function.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the requirement of the mobility management function, includes one or a combination of:

triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; or

updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.

In an implementation, triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability includes:

receiving an indication of UE re-registration carried by the mobility management function in the configuration update procedure;

receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the registration update procedure.

In an implementation, the procedure further includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure, includes: receiving the indication information of updating the SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure, includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a deregistration procedure.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a response message of a service request.

In an implementation, an SMS Allowed IE or an MM cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.

In an implementation, updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure, includes: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in an SMS sending procedure.

In an implementation, the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the SMS sending procedure is carried in the CP Ack returned by the SMS function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.

In FIG. 11, the bus architecture can include any numbers of interconnected buses and bridges, and specifically link various circuits of one or more processors represented by the processor 1100 and the memory represented by the memory 1120. The bus architecture may further link various other circuits such as peripheral device, voltage regulator and power management circuit, which are all well known in the art and thus will not be further described again herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1110 can be a plurality of elements, i.e., include a transmitter and a receiver, and provide the units for communicating with various other devices over the transmission media. For different user equipments, the user interface 1130 can also be the interface for inter-connecting or exter-connecting with the required devices, and the connected devices include but not limited to keypad, display, loudspeaker, microphone, joystick and the like.

The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1120 can store the data used by the processor 1100 when performing the operations.

An embodiment of the present application further provides an apparatus for updating the SMS capability, including:

a judging device configured to receive a triggering condition of the SMS function/user data management function at a mobility management function, and/or, determine that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered at the mobility management function;

a mobility management function update device configured to update the SMS over NAS capability of a UE at the mobility management function.

The specific implementations can refer to the implementations of the above method or mobility management function.

An embodiment of the present application further provides an apparatus for updating the SMS capability, including:

a receiving device configured to receive the SMS over NAS capability update triggered by a mobility management function at a UE, and the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of the SMS function/user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update needs to be triggered;

a UE update device configured to update the SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function.

The specific implementations can refer to the implementations of the above method or UE.

For the sake of description, all the parts of the above-mentioned device are divided into various devices or units by function, which are described respectively. Of course, the functions of the various devices or units may be implemented in the same one or more software or hardware when the present application is implemented.

In summary, in the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, when the network determines that the condition needs to be met, the SMS over NAS update of the UE is performed.

In one embodiment, the update is performed directly through the configuration update command; the UE is triggered by the configuration update command to initiate the registration update procedure to negotiate the update; the update is completed through the response message of the procedure triggering the condition update (e.g., Deregistration); and the update is completed through the response message of the service procedure (e.g., Service Request) or the response message of the SMS MO.

In this solution, the network side triggers the update of the SMS capability, avoiding the UE from making a wrong SMS MO attempt.

Embodiments of the present application can provide methods, systems and computer program products. Thus the present application can take the form of hardware embodiments alone, software embodiments alone, or embodiments combining the software and hardware aspects. Also the present application can take the form of computer program products implemented on one or more computer usable storage mediums (including but not limited to magnetic disk memories, optical memories and the like) containing computer usable program codes therein.

The present application is described by reference to the flow charts and/or the block diagrams of the methods, the devices (systems) and the computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and/or block in the flow charts and/or the block diagrams, and a combination of processes and/or blocks in the flow charts and/or the block diagrams can be implemented by the computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of another programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that an apparatus for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes of the flow charts and/or one or more blocks of the block diagrams is produced by the instructions executed by the computer or the processor of another programmable data processing device.

These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory which guides the computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a particular way, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a manufacture including the instruction apparatus which implements the functions specified in one or more processes of the flow charts and/or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto the computer or another programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or another programmable device to produce the computer-implemented processing. Thus the instructions executed on the computer or another programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes of the flow charts and/or one or more blocks of the block diagrams. 

1. A method for updating short message capability, comprising: receiving, by a mobility management function, a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function, and/or, determining, by the mobility management function, that Short Message Service over Non Access Stratum, SMS over NAS, capability update is triggered; and updating, by the mobility management function, SMS over NAS capability of a User Equipment, UE.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein updating, by the mobility management function, SMS over NAS capability of the UE comprises one or a combination of: triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; and updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability, comprises: carrying an indication of UE re-registration in the configuration update procedure; and carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the registration update procedure.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure comprises: carrying indication information of updating SMS over NAS in the configuration update procedure.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure comprises: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a deregistration procedure.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure comprises: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a response message of a service request.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in the response message of the service request comprises: carrying a short message service allowed information element or carrying a mobility management cause in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure, comprises: carrying an indication of SMS over NAS in a short message sending procedure.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobility management function determines that the SMS capability update is triggered when one or a combination of following conditions occurs: a change in operator configuration causes a network to trigger a change in the SMS over NAS capability; subscription data obtained from the user data management function changes; policy information of the user changes; a change in relevant information is obtained through the short message function; and the UE performs currently a deregistration procedure of which an access type is non-3GPP.
 12. A method for updating short message capability, comprising: receiving, by a User Equipment, UE, SMS over NAS capability update triggered by a mobility management function, wherein the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered; and updating, by the UE, SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to the requirement of the mobility management function comprises one or a combination of: triggering, through a configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate a registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability; updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through a configuration update procedure; and updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in a corresponding procedure.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the triggering, through the configuration update procedure, the UE to initiate the registration update procedure to update the SMS over NAS capability comprises: receiving an indication of UE re-registration carried by the mobility management function in the configuration update procedure; and receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the registration update procedure.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE through the configuration update procedure comprises: receiving indication information of updating SMS over NAS carried in the configuration update procedure, wherein the updating the SMS over NAS capability of the UE in the corresponding procedure comprises: receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a deregistration procedure or, receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a response message of a service request or, receiving an indication of SMS over NAS carried in a short message sending procedure. 17-18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein a short message service allowed information element or a mobility management cause is carried in the response message of the service request to indicate a change in the SMS over NAS capability.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the indication of SMS over NAS carried in the short message sending procedure is carried in a response returned by a short message function; or is determined and returned directly by the mobility management function to the UE.
 22. A mobility management function, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive and send data under control of a processor; a processor configured to read programs in a memory to perform: receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function, and/or, determining that SMS over NAS capability update is triggered; and updating SMS over NAS capability of a User Equipment, UE. 23-32. (canceled)
 33. A User Equipment, UE, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive and send data under control of a processor; a processor configured to read programs in a memory to perform: receiving short message capability update triggered by a mobility management function, wherein the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered by the mobility management function when receiving a triggering condition of a short message function or user data management function and/or determining that the SMS over NAS capability update is triggered; and updating SMS over NAS capability of the UE according to a requirement of the mobility management function. 34-46. (canceled) 